North and east on US Route 302 from North
Conway and Glen NH takes you through Crawford
Notch (map),
a dramatic mountain pass on the southwestern
slopes of Mount
Washington, with excellent
outdoor activity possibilities, but a sad
history.

A Tragic History

In 1825, when the road was being
cut through the notch (mountain
pass), the Willey family
built a small inn in Crawford Notch to
provide for the teams and wagons that would
pass through the valley. In August 1826
one of the worst storms ever to hit the White
Mountains wreaked havoc in the valley,
with floods, landslides, wind, and rain
which left the Willey House unharmed
as the roaring cascade divided and passed
around it, but resulted in the death or
disappearance of every member of the household.

Crawford Notch State Park

The Willey House remains, having been
restored and converted to be the Visitor
Center, snack bar and shop (featuring
the products of New Hampshire artisans)
for Crawford
Notch State Park, a 5775-acre
nature refuge with hiking
trails, beautiful waterfalls, picnic areas,
fishing, wildlife viewing, and spectacular
mountain views.

The park's Dry River Campground has
36 wooded campsites, with flush toilets
and showers.